New treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis with anti-inflammatory Exosomes
A group of Orthopedic surgeons from Germany (Düsseldorf) have discovered a new class of biological compounds for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). These compounds are called "anti-inflammatory exosomes". The treatment of 66 patients with RA proved successful using this technology. Exosomes are cell particles of white blood cells, which play an important role in the regulation of the immune system. Peter Wehling, M.D. of the Center for Molecular Orthopedics, Düsseldorf, Germany said: "Exosomes teach the immune system to recognize endogenous cells as endogenous again."
In total, Wehling treated 66 patients of different ages with severe RA with exosomes. None of these patients treated had improved with conventional medical or surgical therapy significantly. The patients received a single injection of exosomes into the most affected joint. "We observed quick and significant improvement in two thirds of the patients," said Wehling, who monitored the patients for follow-up periods ranging up to five years. The improvements lasted for an average of three to six months before exosome treatment was needed and repeated again.
"Based on the positive clinical results, antiarthritic therapy with exosomes appears feasible, safe and effective in cases of RA especially those who do not respond to basic conventional treatment" summarizes Wehling. In addition, exosomes may also be an option in the treatment of other immune diseases, like multiple sclerosis and allergies. Animal experiments in arthritic mice demonstrated high safety and efficacy of the endogenous particles in the treatment of arthritis before. Long-term studies are planned by the Düsseldorf group for the better understanding of the role exosomes play in immune health and disease.
Center for Molecular Orthopedics
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Antje Kassel
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